Requests and responses by date

Council CCTV cars

I'm hoping to get some
information on CCTV cars being used by councils under the
Freedom of Information Act.

My inquiry concerns CCTV cars
that have to keep their engines running so their camera
equipment can work.

I am approaching a number of
councils to get a scope of the issue. So if you do not use CCTV
cars in your area, please ignore this request.

There is a lot of concern from
people across the country, particularly in urban areas, about
the adverse effects idling vehicles have on people's
health.

As such, can you please confirm
if your CCTV cars have to keep their engines on to run their
cameras.

For example, if a council
officer was on patrol in a CCTV car, but had parked the car. If
the officer then turned the engine off, would the cameras stop
working?

How often are your CCTV cars
parked when they are in the process of monitoring other
drivers? Does most of the CCTV recording happen when the cars
are parked or when they're on the move?

Can you also confirm what you
use the CCTV cars for.

Is it just for parking
infractions? Or do you use them to patrol parents dropping off
their kids at the school gates? Can you please provide a full
list of how CCTV cars are being used to monitor your
area.

Are there any other reasons why
CCTV cars must have their engines running? For example, is
it for the health and safety of the officers inside?